Posted by:
ificouldhietokolob
(
)
Date: December 02, 2016 03:08PM
Babyloncansuckit Wrote:
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> Yes, there is scientific proof that prayer works.
> As much as I hate to admit that the Mormons aren't
> completely nuts.
Depends on what you mean by "works."
There is no evidence that intercessory prayer "works" for the person being prayed for. In fact, in the best objective study done, people who were prayed for did *worse* than those not prayed for:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12082681/ns/health-heart_health/t/power-prayer-flunks-unusual-test/#.WEHSc-YrKUkSome other studies have sometimes shown a small effect, but they're generally problematic because of too small a sample size, methodology problems, and because the effects only show up on subjectively analyzed variables, not objective ones (in other words, people say they "feel better," but don't show any objectively measurable changes in health metrics).
There *is* evidence that praying "works" to calm the individuals who do the praying, and can (though doesn't always) provide some similar benefits as meditation, though that can be attributed to the placebo effect...